Kyrgios pulls out of Adelaide challenge

TENNIS: Australian star Nick Kyrgios will not compete at the World Tennis Challenge in Adelaide tomorrow night as he seeks to be fit for the Australian Open.

The world No. 14 has been battling a knee injury for which he has been receiving cortisone treatment.

"Nick is receiving iontophoresis treatment, which is essentially a cortisone treatment through the skin, rather than through injections, which they are trying to avoid at his age,” said World Tennis Challenge general manager David Hearne.

"It is a five-stage treatment, of which Nick has already received two stages.”

The 21-year-old will rest over the coming days before heading to Melbourne for the Australian Open. He was due to play World No. 31 Sam Querrey tomorrow night at Memorial Drive, then World No. 10 Tomas Berdych on Thursday.

Australia's top-ranked player competed in the Fast4 Exhibition in Sydney on Monday night and beat Rafael Nadal.